Chapter 597 Victory Celebration Banquet (Bonus Chapter!)
Lu Yanhe had no idea that everyone had prepared such a surprise for him.
Someone was also filming his reaction.
"Thank you, thank you!" Lu Yanhe opened his mouth in surprise and looked at everyone. "I really... Didn't you all tell me that time was tight? Why did you all prepare this for me?"
"Didn't you expect us all to prepare a surprise for you?" Peng Zhixing asked with a smile.
“I had an idea, but Zhou Tong told me that the recording time was very tight. He kept asking me how much longer it would take to get there, saying that the show was waiting for me alone,” Lu Yanhe said. “I thought you guys would come to celebrate after the show was finished.”
"Luckily, we got there first, otherwise he would have guessed it," Peng Zhixing said. "How does it feel to return with honors once again?"
Holding the flowers, Lu Yanhe thought for a moment and said, "I can't remember how I felt right now."
“Happy, excited, thrilled—” Lu Yanhe shook his head, “That’s just how I feel, nothing worth mentioning.”
"This feeling is great." Peng Zhixing stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Yan He, that's amazing! Congratulations on making another film that has been well-received!"
Director Luo Yuzhong also came over.
"Xiao Lu, congratulations!"
"Thank you, teacher. This movie was made possible thanks to you." Lu Yanhe immediately gave Luo Yuzhong a warm hug.
"I read your acceptance speech," Luo Yuzhong said. "It was alright, maintaining the standard you've always delivered. Keep up the good work in the future."
Lu Yanhe smiled.
Chen Lingling also made a rare joke, "Will it be even more difficult for me to get you to act in my movies again in the future?"
Lu Yanhe said, "Director, when have you ever asked me to act in a movie that was more difficult than this?"
Chen Lingling chuckled and teased, "You're a movie star now, why would you look down on us TV people?"
"To hell with movie stars, I'm a big star, and big stars have to excel in everything!" Lu Yanhe deliberately raised his chin, revealing a proud expression.
"Big shot, you won the Best Screenplay award this time, aren't you thrilled?" Chen Bige asked jokingly.
Lu Yanhe nodded, "I can sense a little bit of how you felt when you won Best Actress before."
-
Lu Yanhe took a group photo with everyone on the show and then hurried to the dressing room to prepare.
Time was tight, and it really was tight.
Lu Yanhe needs to familiarize himself with the script immediately, and within an hour, he needs to get his makeup and hair done before going on stage to rehearse all the steps.
Fortunately, Peng Zhixing was in charge of every step of the process, so the pressure didn't fall on him.
The makeup artist who did Lu Yanhe's makeup had also met Lu Yanhe many times because of this show.
Everyone calls her Sister Hua.
As a veteran makeup artist with many years of experience in the industry, unlike some who have built their own teams and become renowned makeup artists specializing in serving top celebrities, she consistently works for program production teams or film crews. Not every artist can afford to hire their own dedicated makeup artist; in such cases, they need to utilize the makeup artists provided by the program production team.
Lu Yanhe's look was easy to handle; a simple, clean base was all he needed, unlike many female celebrities who require extremely high standards of makeup. Therefore, Hua Jie's skills were more than sufficient. Basically, Hua Jie handled Lu Yanhe's makeup for "The Birth of an Actor."
While applying makeup to him, Sister Hua smiled and talked about what had happened on the show these past few days.
Today is the last official recording day for the show, but the entire production team has actually been preparing for this recording for several days.
The actors' performances need to be rehearsed several times, and the program flow also needs to be smooth.
We basically spend every day together.
"It's the final episode, everyone's under a lot of pressure, and they've been really sleep-deprived lately. They all have really dark circles under their eyes, and they're all still keeping an eye on your news."
"You have no idea how many people were waiting for 'Love Letter' to win an award at the Jose Film Festival. Wang Dashan even asked if a clip from 'Love Letter' could be performed on the final stage of the show, but Chen Bige directly refused, saying that Wang Dashan's face was not good enough to play a male pretty face."
Lu Yanhe couldn't help but laugh, so Sister Hua stopped and waited until Lu Yanhe had finished laughing before continuing to deal with the situation.
"Especially after the news came back that 'Love Letter' won the Best Screenplay Award, everyone was excited. Zhen Hongyu even asked if whoever won the championship would get a prize and get to play the lead role in your next film."
Lu Yanhe: "There may not be any main roles, but if everyone is willing to come and have fun, there will definitely be some special roles that you can play. However, I still hope that after everyone is seen through this program, you can take advantage of this time to take on more outside roles. Anyway, you are always welcome to participate in my projects."
Sister Hua: "Everyone heard that 'The Birth of an Actor' is already preparing for its second season, and they joked that they're afraid you'll forget the old ones once you see the new ones."
"Everyone is praising me so much! It's like I'm some kind of emperor with three palaces and six courtyards."
"Haha, anyway, there's a lot of competition among everyone when recording this show, but what's amazing is that, despite the competition, everyone is quite united on some major issues, so we don't fall out and can't stand on the same stage, oh, except for He Sha."
Lu Yanhe curled the corners of his mouth slightly.
To put it bluntly, people with acting skills and abilities usually have strong personalities, and given that it's a competition like this, how could there not be competition?
However, this does not mean that competitors cannot have mutual respect and shared goals.
As for He Sha—
That person was someone who never intended to properly showcase their acting skills through this program from the very beginning.
"On the other hand, He Sha brought this on herself," Sister Hua said. "I heard that after she was blacklisted by Aurora Video, she has pleaded with them privately several times, but no one is buying it. Now, basically no production team is willing to hire her to act, and the same goes for TV variety shows."
"Her predicament is only superficially due to being blacklisted by Aurora Borealis. The key is that everyone has seen how she betrayed her partners. Who would dare to cooperate with her easily? Who wouldn't be afraid of being betrayed?" Lu Yanhe said bluntly. "In this industry, personal character is extremely important. Anyone can be replaced, and the substitutability is too high. If you arouse suspicion, then of course others will use someone else."
Sister Hua nodded.
“I agree, that’s absolutely right.”
As the two chatted, Lu Yanhe managed to learn almost everything that had happened to the production team during that time, including what he needed to know.
-
Finally, Zhang Pingqing won the championship of the first season of "The Birth of an Actor", Zhen Hongyu won the runner-up, and Wang Dashan won the third place.
Luo Yuzhong, who was there to serve as the final flight instructor, extended an invitation to Zhang Pingqing for his next project.
"After filming 'Chinese Paladin,' I have a police drama that I've been preparing for a long time, but I'm still missing a main role. I hope to invite you to star in my drama," said Luo Yuzhong.
Zhang Pingqing's eyes welled up with tears on the spot.
After years of hard work, Zhang Pingqing was a low-profile actor who couldn't even get a minor supporting role in Luo Yuzhong's drama before appearing on this show. But through this show, his name has been added to the list of potential collaborators for major film and television companies. In the final episode, he even got the opportunity to star in Luo Yuzhong's next project.
For an actor like Zhang Pingqing, this opportunity is hard-won and extremely precious; not many people can truly understand its significance.
In his acceptance speech, Lu Yanhe said, "Actually, I've said this many times before: why did I want to launch such a program? Because in fact, we have always been using language and some works to talk about what good acting is and what a good actor is. However, it seems that there has never been a channel like this program, which provides such a concentrated, frequent, and diverse window for actors to showcase what it means to be an actor and to have good acting. Through these twelve episodes, over the past three months, we have sparked everyone's attention and discussion about good actors and good acting, which is what I am most proud of."
“In our industry, besides us lucky actors who have already been seen by everyone, there are many others who have not been seen by everyone,” Lu Yanhe said. “I really hope that everyone in front of and behind the camera of our program will have the opportunity to support these good actors who need to be seen by everyone in the future. I also hope that the actors, directors and screenwriters who have already been seen by everyone will give all creators some opportunities.”
"Good partners, good cooperation, good competition, and good works are the only way for all of us to grow and thrive together with this industry."
As soon as Lu Yanhe finished speaking, Peng Zhixing immediately shouted "Good!" in high spirits, leading the whole audience to applaud.
This atmosphere spread, and everyone was moved.
Lu Yanhe didn't know how many people would truly take his words to heart, but he genuinely believed it.
This industry truly follows the Pareto principle: some people are starving while others are drowning in wealth.
Therefore, he sincerely hoped that the flood-affected areas could help the drought-stricken areas.
Only when there is more and more flooding can lakes and oceans be formed.
-
During the interview, Zhou Tong asked Lu Yanhe about his remarks, inquiring about his state of mind when he made those comments.
Lu Yanhe bluntly stated: "Based on my own experience over the past few years, because I am very famous, I have never felt that any project lacks investment. But in reality, many of my friends have difficulty getting investment for their projects, because I am Lu Yanhe, and they are not."
“In this market, only a small number of people are currently visible, and our small group actually controls a large portion of the industry’s resources. If I participate, these resources can be mobilized; if I don’t participate, these resources will remain unused and will not be used to give a newcomer a chance to try.”
"For many new directors, especially auteur directors, it is difficult to invite a well-known actor to act in their films and it is also difficult to attract investment. But if I like his script, even if I only make a special appearance for a few days, it will be very different for his project. He may be able to attract enough investment to finish his film, and there will be film companies willing to take over and help him with post-production and distribution."
“Then there are the actors. An actor like Zhang Pingqing, if it weren’t for a big director like Luo Yuzhong casting him as the lead, other directors wouldn’t dare to use him, because they’re afraid he wouldn’t be able to carry the commercially,” Lu Yanhe said. “Now, because of this program, Zhang Pingqing has become known and popular by many people. It’s not just Director Luo who has extended an invitation to him; as far as I know, he has already received several offers for lead roles. I hope that at this time, he can bring one or two good actors into the project, just to give them a boost.”
"Of course, this is all under the premise that he has the ability and the role is suitable," Lu Yanhe immediately added. "For example, if a new director asks him to act in a low-budget art film, maybe with a budget of only a few hundred thousand, and he thinks the script and the role are good, then I hope he won't refuse just because the director is new or the budget is low. Many times, a project can really be revived just because of the involvement of a key person. As there are more and more good projects, there will be more and more audiences. It's a mutually reinforcing process."
-
The next day, Lu Yanhe and everyone else attended the wrap-up celebration banquet for the show.
Everyone has arrived.
At the lively celebration banquet, even though the final episode hadn't aired yet, everyone already knew for sure that it would successfully conclude and become a successful variety show.
When Chen Bige met Lu Yanhe, he said, "I now have serious doubts about whether there's anything you can't do."
The relationship between Lu Yanhe and Chen Bige is no longer the kind of unfamiliar relationship that requires flattery.
If Chen Bige said that, he must really be feeling that way.
Lu Yanhe shook his head and said, "It's just because I always have a group of the best people helping me with whatever I do, so I succeed at everything I do."
“What you said makes sense. I haven’t been on a single variety show in all these years, but you made an exception for me. You must have some skills to make people willing to believe you,” Chen Bige said. “Now that I think about it, after I met you, I filmed ‘Rouge’ with you, then did ‘The Birth of an Actor’, then ‘Love Letter’, and then ‘Raise the Red Lantern’. Every project was something I would never have agreed to before.”
“There’s nothing I can do about it. It’s because your first project with me, ‘Rouge,’ was such a huge success.” Lu Yanhe smiled confidently. “As long as we keep succeeding, your trust in me will only grow deeper.”
“You’re right.” Chen Bige nodded.
At this moment, Zhang Pingqing came over to toast Lu Yanhe.
"Brother Lu—"
This is the name Chen Bige used to refer to Lu Yanhe on the show.
Lu Yanhe is young, and many people are older than him, but he doesn't know many of them well, so it's not appropriate to call him by his name right away, so he just calls him "Yanhe".
This is a difficult situation.
Chen Bige led the way, calling him "Brother Lu." It was appropriate for the younger ones to call him that, and for those older than Lu Yanhe, it was a mix of intimacy and closeness.
Chen Bige was addressed with a more affectionate tone, while Zhang Pingqing was addressed with more respect.
Lu Yanhe: "Teacher Zhang, congratulations on winning the championship!"
He busied himself picking up his wine glass, a bright smile on his face.
Zhang Pingqing: "Before I participated in this program, I really did not expect to have such a good experience. Thank you for making such a program."
"If you have time next season, come back and make a guest appearance," Lu Yanhe said with a smile. "I'll wait until you win Best Actor."
Zhang Pingqing hurriedly said that they still needed to keep working hard.
After Zhang Pingqing, the others came over one by one.
Even Liu Zhiyao and the others who were eliminated long ago, those who had time all came to attend this celebration party today.
Lu Yanhe mingled with everyone, clinking glasses and drinking quite a bit without realizing it. Almost everyone told him that they would play any role he needed. Lu Yanhe didn't know if this was just polite small talk in this kind of setting, or if they genuinely meant it, but he was already very happy to hear it.
This year has truly been a very special year.
He genuinely felt that people seemed to trust him a little more.
This trust is no longer just about trusting his "miracle of success," but rather a genuine belief that he possesses a talent that can be sustained and a keen insight into the essence of things, rather than some kind of luck that has fallen from the sky.
“What you said in the last episode was particularly good,” Chen Lingling said. “In our industry today, too many directors are afraid to use newcomers and all want to use big-name stars.”
Lu Yanhe: "Learn from Director Chen."
Director Chen Lingling always casts a large number of newcomers in every film she directs.
In the drama "Phoenix Terrace" that Lu Yanhe and she collaborated on, whether it was him, Lang Xia, or Xiao Yun, the situation was actually the same.
Of course, it's understandable that everyone wants to use big-name stars to ensure commercial success in a project. However, for other key roles, would you dare to use newcomers or give opportunities to less famous actors?
Just like "My Own Swordsman", it has established and popular actors such as Huang Kairen, Xiao Yun and Jiang Jun, but it also uses a group of new actors who have never acted in film and television dramas before, such as Liu Zi (Tong Zhanggui), He Jiang (Lu Xiucai) and Li Youfang (Li Dazui).
Chen Lingling said, "I have a drama coming up, and I invited Liu Zhiyin to play the role. It's an ensemble drama about women. I quite like the actress named Wang Jing. Do you have her contact information?"
"Yes." Lu Yanhe nodded. "Should I recommend her to you? Or should I find a time later and arrange for her to meet with you?"
Chen Lingling: "Find an opportunity for me to meet her. I tend to choose actors based on first impressions."
Lu Yanhe immediately recalled the first time he met Chen Lingling.
He also ran into Lang Xia that time.
Directors still prefer to use their own eyes to judge whether an actor is suitable.
Lu Yanhe immediately nodded and said, "If I had known, I would have invited her to 'The Birth of an Actor' to have some fun. She is indeed a very good actress with great explosive power."
Chen Lingling: "I watched her in 'Late Spring' and 'The Squid Game'. She played those characters who were a bit temperamental and neurotic, and she really nailed it."
"She later acted in a movie I wrote, which hasn't been released yet. It's called 'Telephone,' co-starring Jiang Yuqian," Lu Yanhe said. "I've seen some clips; I have them on my phone now. Would you like to take a look?"
Chen Lingling nodded, "Okay."
So Lu Yanhe took out his phone, found the two clips they had sent, and showed them to Chen Lingling.
"Tsk, this young girl has a bright future ahead of her," Chen Lingling commented after watching the video. "She's got that 'no madness, no life' vibe about it."
Lu Yanhe: "She is a truly gifted performer. I feel that among the people in 'Late Spring,' she has the highest talent."
Chen Lingling: "But her image is a little lacking. She can act in movies, but for TV series, she doesn't have the traditional leading lady look. She has to become a real star, and we need to tailor-make a script for her."
Wang Jing is not yet at the point where someone would want to tailor a script specifically for her.
Lu Yanhe nodded.
“But this little girl is really good at acting, a promising talent. You should mentor her if you have suitable roles,” Chen Lingling said. “It’s a pity to let her play supporting roles in TV series. It would be better for her to play some outstanding supporting roles in movies.”
“I don’t have that many film projects going forward. It feels like a waste of her talent to cast her in roles that aren’t too difficult. And, like you said, her image is indeed not very memorable. She’s not unattractive, but she’s not particularly stunning either. It’s not easy to find a good role that suits her.”
Chen Lingling said, "Then why don't you let her try out the next season of 'The Birth of an Actor'?"
Lu Yanhe said, "I'll ask her."
-
Chen Lingling's sudden question about Wang Jing made Lu Yanhe quite emotional.
He keeps saying that acting skills are king, but Wang Jing's acting skills are so good, yet the female lead in "Chinese Paladin" was cast as Yan Lingyu.
Just as Chen Lingling said, Wang Jing's image is limited. No matter how good her acting skills are, she is not as good-looking as Yan Lingyu. Just by standing there, she already has a resemblance to him.
Originally, Lu Yanhe felt that Yan Lingyu was too aloof and not suitable for the innocent Ling'er, but rather suitable for Xiaolongnu in "The Return of the Condor Heroes". However, Luo Yuzhong is still Luo Yuzhong. He has a pair of eyes that can recognize countless people and saw the qualities in Yan Lingyu that made him suitable for Ling'er at a glance.
Once he was dressed up, Lu Yanhe was stunned when he saw the video.
He suddenly realized that Yan Lingyu, in some ways, really was just like that fairy sister; she looked completely different in ancient costume and modern attire.
Yan Lingyu has never appeared in ancient costume before, and Lu Yanhe has never even imagined what Yan Lingyu would look like in ancient costume.
When she put on the costume, looked at the camera, curled the corners of her mouth, and smiled slightly. In an instant, it was as if an iceberg had suddenly seen the sunlight.
In Yan Lingyu's eyes, there was a remarkably clean and clear quality to them.
The Legend of Sword and Fairy is one of the most anticipated projects this year.
The female lead's information is kept very confidential.
Of course, this opportunity was coveted by almost every rising star in the industry, who tried every possible means to secure it.
If you can't get the lead female role, you can take on other main female roles.
However, the main female characters in this project, except for Yan Lingyu, have basically been decided and will be selected through open auditions.
While everyone was still racking their brains trying to find connections and people to get them in, the Legend of Sword and Fairy suddenly announced that it would be holding open auditions.
Moreover, there are as many as eight main roles that have been released for open auditions, all of which are named main characters.
-
Besides the second female lead Lin Yueru and the third female lead Anu, two other female characters have also been revealed: one is the descendant of Nuwa, originally played by Sun Li, and the other is the character originally played by Jiang Xin.
On the male side, Lu Yanhe and his two companions have already filled all the main roles. However, the roles of Baiyue Cult Leader, Drunken Sword Immortal, and Jiang Ming, who also have significant screen time, have all been released for casting through open auditions.
No one expected that "The Legend of Sword and Fairy" would go to such lengths to hold auditions for so many roles.
Moreover, Lu Yanhe did not interfere in this matter at all, leaving it entirely to Director Luo Yuzhong.
-
As for Lu Yanhe, he is preparing for the filming of "Tropical Rainy Season" next month, and he is also reading the script.
The impressive box office performance of "The Mist" and the positive reviews of "Love Letter" at the Jose Film Festival have led to him receiving invitations from more than a dozen projects in the past month.
There are both domestic and overseas ones.
In particular, the news that he would be starring in the low-budget Malaysian art film "Tropical Rainy Season" has caused a great stir in the independent film circle.
Suddenly, many independent film directors turned their attention to Lu Yanhe.
If Lu Yanhe is willing to participate in "Tropical Rainy Season", is it possible that he will also participate in their movie?
Most people involved in the independent film scene simply can't stand the constraints imposed by major studios; it doesn't mean they don't want their films to receive greater attention.
-
I recommend the older book, "I Became the Leading Lady of a Scandal Overnight".
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
